Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised this Monday Ahmed al Ahmed, the Sydney resident who defeated one of the two attackers who shot at least 15 people this Sunday during a celebration marking the start of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach.
“What we are seeing is Australians uniting,” he said in statements to the Brisbane Times, referring to Ahmed, whom he stressed: “He took the gun from the attacker, risked his own life and suffered serious injuries as a result. He is undergoing surgery in hospital today.”
The leader also highlighted “the actions of the police who quickly went to Bondi” in the face of “these two people who committed a terrible act (and are incompatible with the functioning of Australian society”).
Ahmed was also praised by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who called him a “real hero” after he risked his life and managed to snatch the gun from one of the attackers.
Ahmed al-Ahmed, a father of two and owner of a fruit shop in Sutherland, Sydney, remains in hospital having undergone surgery for gunshot wounds to his arm and hand.
This 43-year-old man was identified by his relatives after a video circulated on social networks and the media showing a man crouching behind a car, then throwing himself on the back of the armed man, fighting with him and snatching his weapon.
At least 15 people died and 42 were injured in an attack by two people, a deceased father and his 24-year-old son, who were detained and in critical condition. Australian police described this as a terrorist attack specifically targeting those attending a celebration marking the start of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
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